The Application of Micro‐ and Nanomotors in Classified Drug Delivery

Micro and nanomotors (MNMs) are micro/nanoscale devices that are able to convert chemical or external energy into mechanical motion. Based on a multitude of propulsion mechanisms, synthetic MNMs have been developed over the past decades for diverse biomedical applications, particularly drug delivery. Herein, we set out the classification of drugs delivered by MNMs, such as small molecules, nucleic acid, peptides, antibodies, and other proteins, and discuss their current limitations and possibilities in in vivo applications. Challenges and future perspectives are also discussed. With the increasing research enthusiasm in this field and the strengthening of multidisciplinary cooperation, intelligent MNMs will appear in the near future, which will have a profound impact on all related fields.     

A Bifunctional Luminescent Metal–Organic Framework for the Sensing of Paraquat and Fe3+ Ions in Water

The hydrothermal reaction of Zn²⁺ ions with a mixture of two ligands, Hcptpy and H₃btc (Hcptpy=4‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐2,2′:4′,4′′‐terpyridine; H₃btc=1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid), led to the formation of a 3D metal–organic framework (MOF) with 1D channels, [Zn₂(cptpy)(btc)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ), which was structurally characterized by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SXRD). In MOF 1 , two independent Zn²⁺ ions were interconnected by btc^3? ligands to form a 1D chain, whilst adjacent Zn²⁺ ions were alternately bridged by cptpy^? ligands to generate a 2D sheet, which was further linked by 1D chains to form a 3D framework with a new (3,3,4,4)‐connected topology. Furthermore, compound 1 also exhibited excellent stability towards air and water and, more importantly, luminescence experiments indicated that it could serve as a probe for the sensitive detection of paraquat (PAQ) and Fe³⁺ ions in aqueous solution.     

Positively Charged Nanoaggregates Based on Zwitterionic Pillar[5]arene that Combat Planktonic Bacteria and Disrupt Biofilms

Bacterial biofilms are difficult to eradicate because they are less susceptible to antibiotics and more easily develop resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new materials that can combat planktonic bacteria and disrupt established biofilms. To tackle this challenge, we design a multifunctional zwitterionic pillar[5]arene, which can self‐assemble into weakly positively charged nanoaggregates that exhibit antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli (DH5α) and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (SH1000) bacterial strains in solution. In addition, the zwitterionic pillar[5]arene can efficiently disrupt pre‐existing Escherichia coli (DH5α) biofilms and kill the biofilm‐enclosed bacteria without rapid generation of resistance.     

Michael-Addition Reaction of Malononitrile with α,β-Unsaturated Cycloketones Catalyzed by KF／Al2O3

A series of KF/Al2O3 catalyzed Michael-addition reactions between malononitrile and α,β-unsaturated cycloketones in DMF solution were studied. At room temperature, 2-cyano-3-aryl-3-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-one-2-yl) propionitrile derivatives were synthesized by the reaction between 2-arylmethylidene-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydronaphthalen-1-one and malononitrile. However, if the temperature was increased to 80℃, 2-amino-3-cyano-4-aryl-4H-benzo[h]chromene derivatives were obtained in high yields. When the α,β-unsaturated ketones were replaced by 2,6-biarylmethylidenecyclohexanone or 2,5-biarylmethylidenecyclopentanone, another series of 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-pyran derivatives was isolated successfully. The structures of the products were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

New flavonoids from Oxytropis myriophylla

Eight compounds were isolated from Oxytropis myriophylla. On the basis of spectral analyses, their structures were elucidated to be (6R,9R)-roseoside (1), (6R,9S)-roseoside (2), adenosine (3), myriophylloside B (4), myriophylloside C (5), myriophylloside D (6), myriophylloside E (7), and myriophylloside F (8). Five flavonoids (4-8) were new compounds, and the three known compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.     

Synthesis of triphenylene derivatives by Pd-catalyzed Suzuki coupling/intramolecular CH activation between arylboronic acids and dibromobiphenyls

An efficient and regioselective synthesis of functionalized triphenylenes via palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling and subsequent intramolecular CH activation between arylboronic acids and dibromobiphenyls was developed. This methodology showed excellent atomic economy and regiospecificity as well as synthetic feasibility of unsymmetrical triphenylenes.     

Phosphine‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Dearomative [3+2]‐Cycloaddition of 3‐Nitroindoles and 2‐Nitrobenzofurans

Over the past years, the metal‐catalyzed dearomative cycloaddition of 3‐nitroindoles and 2‐nitrobenzofurans have emerged as a powerful protocol to construct chiral fused heterocyclic rings. However, organocatalytic dearomative reaction of these two classes of heteroarenes has become a long‐standing challenging task. Herein, we report the first example of phosphine‐catalyzed asymmetric dearomative [3+2]‐cycloadditio of 3‐nitroindoles and 2‐nitrobenzofurans, which provide a new, facile, and efficient protocol for the synthesis of chiral 2,3‐fused cyclopentannulated indolines and dihydrobenzofurans by reacting with allenoates and MBH carbonates, respectively through a dearomative [3+2]‐cycloaddition.     

Lewis Base/Brønsted Acid Co‐catalyzed Enantioselective Sulfenylation/Semipinacol Rearrangement of Di‐ and Trisubstituted Allylic Alcohols

An enantioselective sulfenylation/semipinacol rearrangement of 1,1‐disubstituted and trisubstituted allylic alcohols was accomplished with a chiral Lewis base and a chiral Brønsted acid as cocatalysts, generating various β‐arylthio ketones bearing an all‐carbon quaternary center in moderate to excellent yields and excellent enantioselectivities. These chiral arylthio ketone products are common intermediates with many applications, for example, in the design of new chiral catalysts/ligands and the total synthesis of natural products. Computational studies (DFT calculations) were carried out to explain the enantioselectivity and the role of the chiral Brønsted acid. Additionally, the synthetic utility of this method was exemplified by an enantioselective total synthesis of (?)‐herbertene and a one‐pot synthesis of a chiral sulfoxide and sulfone.